Society celebrates young poets

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — The Vermilion Poetry Society recently celebrated young writers during its second-annual Poetry Writing Contest reception at Harbourtown Fine Arts Center. This year's contest focused on the theme of friendship and drew 86 entries from 57 student poets. The contest was open to students in grades 2-12 with winners selected in three divisions: grades 2-4, grades 5-8 and grades 9-12. The contest asked students to submit original poems, which were judged anonymously. First-place winners received $50, while second-place winners received $25. All students who entered the contest received honorable mention certificates, and the first- and second-place poems will be displayed at Ritter Public Library for one year. Young writers recognized Among the winners Grades 2-4 • First place: June Moes, fourth grade, Sailorway Middle School — Poem: "Friendship" — Teacher: Kathryn Kretchmar • Second place: Dionna Johnson, third grade, Vermilion Elementary School — Poem: "Forever Friend" — Teacher: Rebecca Delia Grades 5-8 • First place: Kenzie Roberts, eighth grade, Vermilion High School — Poem: "Exchanging & Unexpected" — Teacher: Kellie Pancost • Second place: Scarlet Mulica, sixth grade, Sailorway Middle School — Poem: "Everyone Needs One Good Friend" — Teacher: Laura Nabors Grades 9-12 • 1st place: Jillian Leimbach, 11th grade, Vermilion High School — Poem: "Before We Grew Up" — Teacher: Pancost • 2nd place: Haley Stepp, 11th grade, Vermilion High School — Poem: "The Golden Glow" — Teacher: Pancost Students recite during ceremony The reception gave winning students the opportunity to read their poems aloud; receive their awards; and celebrate with family members, teachers and members of the poetry society. Only three of the six winning students were able to attend the ceremony: Moes, Mulica and Roberts. Other winners were unable to attend because of prior commitments or family obligations, but their poems were still recognized during the program. Each winning student also received a copy of "I Feel a Poem Coming On — Now What?" by Joette McDonald, Vermilion's poet laureate. McDonald attended the event and shared a special reading with those in attendance. Jim Chapple, who helped organize the contest and ceremony, said the response from students showed strong interest in poetry throughout the community. "The number of submissions and the quality of writing this year were truly inspiring," Chapple said. "It's clear that poetry is alive and well in Vermilion's schools." The Vermilion Poetry Society invites community members with an interest in poetry to join the organization. For more information about membership, contact Chapple at chappjw@aol.com or 440-225-1547.